In an unexpected development, China and Russia have supported India to keep Pakistan away from the “BRICS Plus” event – ​​a gathering of fast-growing countries.

Pakistan seeks to participate in networking events with the BRICS developing country group which includes Algeria, Argentina, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Indonesia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Thailand. However, India moved quickly to block the attempt. India’s proposal is backed by the President of Russia, BRICS 2022 and China, “Pakistan’s all-weather ally”. The decision appears to be motivated by the fact that Pakistan does not qualify for an emerging economy.

On Monday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “We note that this year a ‘high-level dialogue on global development’ was held on the sidelines of the BRICS, to which a number of developing and developing countries were invited… Unfortunately, a member (from BRICS) blocked Pakistan’s participation.

Responding to Pakistan’s state-run Pakistan News Agency, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the decision to hold a high-level dialogue was “based on consultations between the BRICS countries,” but gave no details.

China is baffled by Pakistan’s reform measures and the progress of projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Pakistan is currently in talks with the International Monetary Fund over a $6 billion bailout. The country’s foreign exchange reserves have reached critical levels with an import ceiling of less than six weeks.